President Dr Mohamed Waheed and First Lady Madam Ilham Hussain have received a grand welcome from the Sri Lankan government. The ceremony was held this afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka.
President Waheed and Madam Ilham Hussain were escorted to the Presidential Secretariat from Hilton Colombo, by ceremonial motorcycles and mounted escorts, along with some cultural performers.
At the Presidential Secretariat President Waheed and the First Lady were officially received by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka.
When both the Presidents ascended the saluting dias, they received the presidential salute. Next the Sri Lankan Army fired a 21 gun salute in honour of President Waheed, followed by which President Waheed inspected a guard of honour accorded to him by the Sri Lankan Navy.
At the official welcome ceremony, President Rajapaksa then proceeded to introduce to President Waheed and Madam Ilham Hussain, the Sri Lankan dignitaries at the receiving line. President Waheed then introduced the Maldivian dignitaries to the Sri Lankan President and First Lady.
